ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Aug. 23, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a result of strong purse earnings from the pari-mutuel handle on the Aug. 13 International Festival of Racing program, Arlington Park management has announced that average purse distribution will be increased by $10,000 per day from $202,000 to $212,000 effective with the Thursday, Aug. 25 racing program.

"The success of last week's International Festival of Racing exceeded our projections and as a result we are able to again raise our purses for overnight races," said Arlington Park General Manager Tony Petrillo. "When Arlington Park is able to bring top quality stakes races to a national and international market, the revenues earned from those races allow us to bolster our overnight program for the horsemen who race with us season long."

Arlington Park — the Chicago area's premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. — will run an 86-day meet in 2011 from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, Sept. 25. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq:CHDN), also operates 12 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities — Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Chicago, Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Waukegan, Shooters Bar & Grill at Don Carter Lanes featuring Trackside Rockford, Fat Sam's Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in Lockport, Stanley's Ale House featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino's featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, TADS Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Villa Park and Sundance Saloon featuring Trackside OTB in Waukegan. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.

CONTACT: David Zenner

         (847) 385-7535

         Cell (847) 371-1670

         Fax: (847) 385-7251

         Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com